July18, 2016

WASHINGTON—Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-TN), Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-MD), and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY) released the following statement Monday regarding the escalating violence in South Sudan that has put the peace agreement at grave risk:

“Urgent action is needed to prevent further bloodshed in South Sudan and to sustain the prospect of peace. Escalating violence in Juba and other parts of the country is adding to the suffering of millions who lack food, clean water and medical care. All parties need to forcefully condemn attacks on innocent men, women and children, and demand an end to fighting among armed groups.

“That said, it is clear South Sudan cannot resolve this crisis on its own. We are encouraged that regional governments have quickly convened to consider how best to stabilize the situation, and we call on the United Nations Security Council to support them by immediately imposing an arms embargo to stop the flood of weapons worsening this bloody conflict. Furthermore, we believe it is time to establish a U.N. or regional force that will be a guarantor of security between government and opposition forces and allow the free flow of vital humanitarian aid.”